Creamy Orange Drink

This dreamy Orange Julius takes me back to those busy mall days and hot summer evenings. I've come up with my own take that nails that sweet-tangy combo in a frothy orange beverage you can whip up in minutes using basic items from your kitchen. The magic happens when you add condensed milk – it's what gives you that smooth, velvety finish the classic drink is known for.

I stumbled on this when trying to make those famous mall beverages for the kids in my family. These days, we can't start our weekend pancake routine without mixing up a batch.

What You'll Need

• Whole milk: Makes the base nice and rich. Don't swap for low-fat if you want the real deal experience.
• Vanilla extract: Brings a warm flavor that works magic with the orange. Try to use the real stuff, not imitation.
• Sweetened condensed milk: Delivers that smooth, silky feel and sweetness without the gritty texture you'd get from regular sugar.
• Frozen orange juice concentrate (slightly thawed): Packs in tons of orange flavor without making the drink too thin.
• Ice cubes: Create that frosty texture and cool temperature everyone loves.
• Optional: A bit of raw egg or egg white powder if you want extra foam like they used to make – if you're feeling brave!

Making Your Orange Julius

Combine Everything:

Drop all your items into the blender following the order shown below. This helps everything mix properly and keeps ice from getting stuck at the bottom.

Mix Until Airy:

Run your blender at medium high for just a bit until everything looks smooth with lots of froth. Don't go too long or you'll lose the thick, creamy texture.

Drink Right Away:

Get it into glasses quickly to enjoy that fluffy, airy texture. It tastes way better fresh while it's still cold and foamy.

Dress It Up:

Top with some whipped cream and an orange wedge if you want to make it fancy. Even this simple touch makes it look special.

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The best moment when making this drink is watching someone take that first taste. Their face always lights up as they connect with something that feels familiar but tastes even better than what they remember from those mall trips as a kid.

Where Orange Julius Came From

Julius Freed started it all back in 1926 with a simple orange juice stand in Los Angeles. His buddy Bill Hamlin came up with a special mix adding eggs, milk and sugar that made acidic orange juice easier to drink. Soon folks weren't asking for orange juice anymore – they wanted an "Orange Julius" instead. The brand eventually popped up in shopping centers all across America.

Easy Swaps

Got dairy issues? No problem. This works great with coconut milk and non-dairy condensed milk options. The coconut actually adds nice tropical notes that go well with orange. For fewer calories, try almond milk, though you won't get quite the same rich feeling.

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Ways To Enjoy It

This drink stands on its own, but it's amazing alongside French toast or banana bread at breakfast. Want a fun dessert? Drop in some vanilla ice cream for an Orange Julius float. During hot weather, we pour the mixture into popsicle molds for frozen treats that everyone in the family goes crazy for.

Keeping It Fresh

You'll want to drink your Orange Julius right after you make it when it's got that perfect foam. If you need to prep ahead, you can keep it in the fridge for about a day. Just give it a good shake or a quick buzz in the blender before pouring to bring back some of that frothy goodness.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I swap sweetened condensed milk?

Sure, you could use granulated sugar for sweetness or even vanilla pudding powder for a similar creamy feel.

→ Should I add a raw egg?

Not necessary! If you want the traditional texture, go for pasteurized eggs or powdered egg whites for safety.

→ Can I switch out orange concentrate for fresh juice?

Fresh orange juice won't have that strong punch of flavor. Stick with frozen concentrate for the best taste.

→ What kind of milk is best to use?

Whole milk makes it super creamy, but almond or oat milk works too if you're going dairy-free.

→ How do I thicken it up?

Pop in some extra ice cubes or cut back on the liquid while blending to get a thicker texture.